Service of Prayer for Healing
First Christian Reformed Church
Guelph, Ontario
September 16, 2007
Words of Welcome and Introduction
Welcome to everyone tonight. It is so good to come together with a common trust in our God in heaven. That’s why we are here: to express our trust in God and to pray to this God. This service is not happening out of a spirit of desperation, as if “Well, nothing has worked so far, so let’s pray to God for a miracle.” As if to say that God is a last resort.
No. This service is happening because it is where the journey of _____ has brought them. God has been part of their journey all along. I believe it is the work of God that brings us to a point of expressing our trust in God. We are not here tonight to desperately pray for a miracle. We are here tonight to pray to God because he hears and answers prayer. Praying for healing is part of that. Praying for his daily strength, peace and blessing is also part of that.
We come here tonight in hope, which, as we read in Hebrews 6:19, is “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hope is a “confident expectation” anchored in God. We always have hope. Even when a certain treatment does not bring about the desired results, we still have hope. Our hope is not in human abilities or promises. Our hope is in God.
That is our testimony and trust, as we read in Psalm 73:23-28
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? and earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
Songs of Trust: “In You Is Gladness” and
“How Great Thou Art”
Opening Prayer of Praise
Praise isn’t always easy. It is important to start there, because this is the God to whom we have come to pray tonight. We need to know who it is that is hearing our prayers. We need to know who it is that is answering our prayers. And so we praise this great God who is with us.
But it isn’t always easy. There are difficult times of doubt and pain and sickness.
Jeremiah speaks of this troubled heart in Lamentations 3:17-26
I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.
So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.”
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Song:
“He Leadeth Me” (v.1,2)
Individual Silent Prayers of Trust: using the words, “I surrender my heart to you. I trust you, Lord”
Song of Trust: What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Words of Response: Our lives, as followers of Christ, are not guaranteed to be without suffering or sickness. Our confidence is that God is at work in all circumstances. We pray for God’s power to work, in the face of the challenges we encounter in our lives.
Our Prayers: introduced by Pastor with invitation to pray individually or in small groups of 3 to 5 people.
This is an invitation to pray. Do not feel obligated to speak out loud in prayer. While we pray, there will be occasions where there will be music. This is not to say we are finished, but the music is a reminder of God’s presence while we pray, and an opportunity to let the songs direct our thoughts and prayers to God. You are invited to come forward and kneel at the front steps of the pulpit area if you wish to do so. On the screen is the outline. Copies are also available at the front.
Prayer Outline:
for healing - physical, we dare to ask for a miracle
for perseverance - continuing to live fully to the Lord, even in sickness
for character - for being an example and encouragement to others, to lead others to trust in the Lord
for hope - for today, tomorrow and forever
Who are we praying for
(Name)
(Spouse and children)
those who read (name’s) blog and are challenged and encouraged
neighbors, friends, to provide support and blessing
others who have requested prayer for their particular needs
for your family member, friend who is living with cancer, going through chemotherapy, on dialysis, or....
Song: “You Are My All in All”
Reading: "Imagine" (by Mendelt Hoekstra)
Words of Response:
Hallelujah! God is always there for us, waiting for us to talk to him and to rely on him. And that will give us peace. It’s important to remember this and to tell God everything, no matter how trivial or small we think it might be. And we continue to give him praise for being the amazing God he is: that he cares about all our small needs!
Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:6-7, 10-13, 19-20
Song:: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Closing Words, followed by Benediction: "We trust that God hears. We trust his answers. We walk daily with God and with each other, with the blessing from God."
Song: “In Christ Alone”
